The Vision of Marslink

The Technical Marvel

Implications for Space Exploration

• Scientific Research: Continuous, high-bandwidth communication would allow scientists on Earth to receive data from Mars in near real-time, facilitating dynamic experiments and immediate response to Martian phenomena.
• Human Settlement: For any future Martian settlers, having direct, reliable communication with Earth would be vital for psychological well-being, operational support, and maintaining cultural ties.
• Economic Ventures: As the Mars economy grows, Marslink could serve as the backbone for Martian commerce, enabling everything from remote mining operations to digital services.

Challenges Ahead

The South China Morning Post writes that the report was written by researchers in the Beijing Institute of Tracking and Telecommunications and other organizations that protect China.

Published on China Military Online, concerns of the satellites being used to aid the U.S. military was the reason listed in the study. It claims that SpaceX wants to use Starlink “for military purposes” and that Starlink has worked with the U.S. military on satellite connection to military aircraft and data transmission.

Starlink has aided in the U.S. military before. Newsweek writes that a Federal Communications Commission filing made in March detailed tests of information being sent and received on the ground and via aircraft. They also tested Starlink in February to “provide tactical network speeds of up to 70 megabits per second” which reduced the normal lag time of military satellites.

As for the details of “soft and hard kill methods” of disabling Starlink’s satellites, there is not a lot. However, the researchers suggested that the solutions should be “low-cost, high-efficiency” and that they are worried about the 4,200 satellites as a whole rather than one or two of them. Newsweek suggests that lasers, and microwaves could be of use.

So where did this talk of destroying Starlink satellites come from? Why is there an interest in one facet of U.S. military performance?

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Starlink satellites have given aid to Ukraine by enhancing government communication, internet access, help companies stay afloat, and drone attack performance. This outreach has led to Elon Musk being threatened by Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos. In a supposed statement given to the Russian media, Rogozin stated,” Elon, you will be held accountable like an adult—no matter how much you’ll play the fool.” Musk then joked that he will “die under mysterious circumstances”

If I die under mysterious circumstances, it’s been nice knowin ya

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2022

Along with Russia’s attempt to take back Ukraine, recent comments made by President Joe Biden increased tensions between Taiwan and China. During the week, Biden told reporters that the U.S would keep their promise to help defend Taiwan against China. Though Biden’s statement was later walked back by Washington, the Chinese were quick to respond. CNN writes that Chinese officials made aggressive comments like, “Those who play with fire will certainly burn themselves,” and military drills near Taiwan began.

The performance of Starlink satellites on the battlefield has undoubtedly left an impression on China. What started as a tool to benefit humanity by giving basic internet access to remote areas has become a tool to enhance military performance. Could this continue to the U.S. military? Would it be for the better or for the worst?

Since receiving Starlink antennas, Ukrainians have been able to have Internet access, technology companies have been able to stay afloat, the government can communicate and receive updates, and perform drone attacks. Mykahailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s minister of digital transformation and the one who initially pleaded to Elon Musk for help, told the Washington post that:

“The quality of the link is excellent,” and that, “We are using thousands, in thousands, of terminals with new shipments arriving every other day.”

With an increase of shipments, The Mirror reports that Starlink’s app was downloaded close to 100,000 times in Ukraine and even more around the world.

This has also led to the curious decision of taunting Vladimir Putin over Twitter where Elon Musk challenged him to a fight.

I hereby challenge
Владимир Путин
to single combat

Stakes are Україна

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 14, 2022

With the success of Starlink, security concerns arise. Could receiving Starlink internet result in putting targets on the people’s backs, and giveaway government intel? A Berkeley security researcher, Nicholas Weaver, told CNN that:

“It isn’t necessarily easy, but the Russians have a lot of practice on tracking various signal emitters in Syria and responding. Starlink may work for the moment, but anyone setting a [Starlink] dish up in Ukraine needs to consider it as a potential giant target.”

Afterward, Elon Musk added that the use of Starlink can be used against Ukraine:

Important warning: Starlink is the only non-Russian communications system still working in some parts of Ukraine, so probability of being targeted is high. Please use with caution.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 3, 2022

So far, there is no news indicating that this has happened yet. But the risk has been acknowledged by Ukrainian officials.

Sure, @elonmusk. We are going to use them for Ukrainians also after our victory ?

— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) March 3, 2022

Starlink aiding Ukraine amidst the risks involved is a real test of their technology. But there is no doubt that even a slow internet speed in a war-torn area could help civilians get the latest information and help support infrastructure. Though, the internet providers in Ukraine have been compromised by possible Russian-state hackers. Could the aid Starlink is giving end the same way and or be used to geolocate potential targets? We will have to wait and see.

It is noticed that M/s #Starlink (https://t.co/xscnDS4Cnn) has started pre-selling/booking of #satellite based #Internet Services in India without any #license/authorization.
Public is advised not to subscribe to Starlink services being advertised. #GatiShakti #spacex @SpaceX

— DoT India (@DoT_India) November 26, 2021

As of now, Starlink has only given Reuters this response: “No comment for now”.

Despite this, Reuters reports that other companies have launched satellites that would offer “low-latency broadband internet services” that would target the same areas of interest that have little to no internet access.

So, what could be the issue? Well, back in April, problems started to arise after Broadband India Forum (BIF) wanted the DoT to stop Starlink pre-sales because they did not have a license or authorization. According to BIF’s website, they are a non-profit that is about “promoting, supporting and enhancing all policy, regulatory and standards initiatives for the proliferation of high-quality broadband in the country in a technology-neutral and all-inclusive manner.” With this in mind, the non-profit is represented by broad band internet companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. This is when India’s DoT started investigating on whether or not the company’s beta roll-out went against India’s telecom and technology laws.

Though India is rich in pastoral scenery that is prime for a satellite internet network, Starlink nor SpaceX do not have any set plans on production in India. They plan to have 200,000 customers by 2022. As of November 1^st, Starlink had about 5,000 preorders.

According to The Verge, Starlink is offered in 20 different countries and has about 140,000 customers. Right now, they only offer beta version of their internet service, but Elon Musk is aiming that the company will have full commercial internet by next year.

Next month

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 17, 2021

While this is good news, Musk tends to overshoot when it comes to timelines. According to The Verge, he claimed at the Mobile World Conference that the full version of Starlink would come out in August, and that Starlink would have “possibly over 500,000 users within 12 months.”

Starlink is made up of about 12,000 constellation satellite system in low Earth orbit. These satellites offer constant internet service. A terminal, which consists of a satellite dish and a Wi-Fi router, is worth $499 and the internet service is $99 a month. Since the release of their open beta testing in October, Musk claims to have sold over 100,000 terminals to 14 different countries. The company also aimed to have worldwide coverage in September. So far, Engadget writes that Starlink’s beta version has only been offered in North America, some parts of Europe, Australia, Chile, and New Zealand. Though, expansions are planned to be made in Mexico, Japan, the Philippines, and South Africa.

Their main goal is to provide internet service to rural areas around the globe with download speeds of up to 100Mbps and 20Mbps. Internet could also eventually reach developing countries.

As previously mentioned, Musk is not one for meeting deadlines. A recent example is the production and delivery date of Tesla’s Cybertruck. At first, buyers were promised to see production by the end of 2021. In early August, an insider for Tesla tweeted that the production will start in 2022. It was only then that designs were finalized and when beta testing would start.

We will have to see, but I would not bet money on Starlink making the October deadline. If they do, I will gladly eat my own words.

As of Friday, Viasat asked the Federal Communications Commission to pause the April 27 license modification that would allow SpaceX to continue its plans of building out its broadband constellation. The existing constellation already tops more than 1,600 satellites.

On May 15 SpaceX surpassed its 1,584 permitted satellites in 550-kilometer orbits that fell under a previous license by launching 52 additional satellites. And on May 26 they are scheduled to launch 60 more.

Viasat’s arguments to stop or slow the expansion of Starlink depends solely on being able to convince a federal appeals court that the FCC was ‘legally obligated’ to assess the megaconstellation’s environmental impacts prior to approving SpaceX’s previous request to double the number of satellites it originally intended to operate from 550 kilometers.

Originally, the FCC approved a 4,409-satellite constellation that included 2,825 satellites in orbit ranging from 1,100-1,300 kilometers, and 1,584 satellites at 550 kilometers. Then on April 27 SpaceX requested a license modification to move the higher orbiting satellites in to the 550-kilometer set. And also making an adjustment to the number of satellites in the constellation from 4,409 to 4,408.

The company claims the modification will improve any signal lag, or latency, between space and the ground that would ultimately improve the quality of video calls, gaming, and any other activities on the network.

The FCC awarded SpaceX $890 million from the first phase of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) in December. RDOF’s mission is to bring broadband services to homes and businesses being unserved in the United States. A key qualifying factor to receive funding is low latency.

Stopping Starlink

Since January, roughly 700 additional satellites have launched totaling more than 1,600 Starlink satellites currently in orbit. And a Falcon 9 was scheduled to launch on May 26 from Cape Canaveral, Florida which would be the 13th Starlink launch in 2021.

Until federal courts can review the legality of the license modification, Viasat has asked the FCC to pause any more launches.

Viasat, based out of Carlsbad, California, provides broadband services as well, via geostationary orbit (GEO). The company petitioned the FCC to thoroughly review the environmental impacts prior to awarding license modifications as per the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA currently exempts satellite systems, but Viasat claims this did not happen despite the megaconstellation bringing a new list of considerations forward for regulators.

Some astronomers are worried about how the constellation’s reflectivity could affect ground-based telescope observations and these concerns led to a request for an environmental assessment.

By approving the license modification, the FCC greatly rejected these requests and urged SpaceX to work closely with astronomers to attempt to mitigate the brightness of the satellites. The FCC listed several reasons for rejecting the requests and ultimately not performing environmental assessments. They questioned whether or not light pollution is covered through NEPA, and noted that the Federal Aviation Administration performs its own environmental reviews as part of the licensing process to launch.

According to a May 21 filing to the FCC, Viasat claims that NEPA is required to at least consider the environmental harms prior to granting SpaceX’s application. Harms considered include orbital debris, light pollution, and the overall effects of disintegrating satellites on the atmosphere.

“We believe the FCC failed to conduct a legally required environmental review under NEPA and did not honor the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to a science-based approach to protecting the atmosphere, the Earth’s climate, space and the well-being of U.S. citizens before authorizing the launch of thousands of new Starlink satellites into low-earth orbit,” John Janka, Viasat’s chief officer for global government and regulatory affairs, said in an emailed statement.

“As such, we have asked the Commission to stay its order until the federal courts review its legality.”

If the FCC does not comply and approve the stay by June 1, Viasat is prepared and fully intends to head to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in an effort to seek a stay and review of the modification order.

SpaceX declined responding to comment requests.

Former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine joined Viasat’s board of directors this past April.

Bridenstine previously stated in an interview that the threat of the megaconstellations safety in space, and the overall space access environment were ‘issues on his radar’.

Currently in development for Viasat is a three-satellite Viasat-3 broadband constellation in geostationary orbit (GEO) with intentions to expand its operations globally, and will provide three terabits per second of output.

With a targeted launch slated for early next year, the first Viasat-3 satellite is set to serve the Americas.

Currently, Musk uses the idle capacity of his rockets to launch waves of up to sixty satellites at one time. This process allows him to have 1,321 satellites in orbit at a significantly lower cost than what is typically associated with these types of operations. Though 12,000 have already been approved, there are roughly 30,000 licenses in current debates.

The satellites are positioned in orbit about sixty times closer to Earth than conventional satellites. And the closer proximity changes the usual approach to satellite communication, and allows it to offer internet access that is drastically faster in speed and relay, with the needed speed to still play competitive video games. With a closer position to the Earth, they are easier to see at night with the naked eye, regardless of the efforts made by the company to reduce the satellites’ luminosity. And can be effectively useful for activities that were otherwise outrageously expensive – until now.

Much like most of Musk’s projects, this is a classic case of leveraging the economies of scale that can be achieved at a later stage in growth. Thanks to SpaceX’s increasingly recycled rocket launches, the satellites can be launched with the potential of cost sharing. On the other hand, the anticipation of drastically reducing the size from the original “UFO on a stick” to the current models capable of being installed to vehicles that meet certain size requirements. The pricing model aligns with these parameters, with an initial connection equipment charge of $499, and a $99 fee each month for service. For users who may not have another option, this is an obvious choice. But the idea is to reduce its cost as scaling allows, which in turn makes it possible to be as competitive, if not more, than the many telecommunications companies in business today throughout the globe.

The U.S. military has taken interest in this concept and went as far as considering the use of  Starlink’s constellation of satellites for a new alternative to the current GPS system.

A common misconception is that design changes and/or implementing new economies of scale doesn’t work, and that the rules in place of an industry or business cannot be changed. But if you think you knew everything there is to know about satellites and scaling, then you sorely underestimated Musk and his portfolio.

This adds on to SpaceX’s previous record of launching 60 satellites into low-Earth orbit. That mission amounted to 1,021 satellites.

Some of the previous missions the booster had been a part of include a test flight of the Demo-1 mission back in March 2019.

Deployment of 60 Starlink satellites confirmed pic.twitter.com/AMLK4R9dMn

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 14, 2021

The Falcon 9 booster blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center at 3:01 a.m. PT (6:01 a.m. ET). After the second stage of the mission, the booster re-entered the atmosphere and landed safely on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Atlantic Ocean.

The satellites that detached from the rocket are a part of the Starlink constellation that is being built to provide internet access to areas with low internet connectivity. According to The Verge, SpaceX has been given the authority to launch 12,000 satellites.

The light that emitted from the rocket caused viewers in Philadelphia to look twice. The pictures taken during the launch look out of this world.

Over York, Pennsylvania 6:10 am EST pic.twitter.com/cYDmSvHc6f

— Junction 116 (@junction116) March 14, 2021

After the launch, the contrails were hit by the sunlight and caused noctilucent clouds which are brighter than the other clouds due to their height. News Channel 8 writes that at this height, 100,000 feet, the contrail is made of ice crystals.

This streak of satellites and records are supposed to resume in the next coming days. According to Tech Crunch, this is the third launch in the past 10 days (about 1 and a half weeks). To continue the project, there will be two more satellite missions this month. One of which will be next Sunday.

It will be exciting to see the rest of the satellites launched and having internet access in rural areas. I think it will be cool to see the Starlink constellation in the sky since it will be in low earth orbit or through a telescope.

On Monday, CEO Elon Musk tweeted that SpaceX is working on an antenna that connects vehicles like semi-trucks and RVs to its satellite internet network.

Musk provided clarification and explained that the antenna will not be used for “connecting Tesla cars to Starlink,” and added that the user “terminal is much too big.”

“This is for aircraft, ships, large trucks and RVs,” Musk said.

SpaceX wants to connect more than just homes to its Starlink satellite internet:

The company submitted an FCC request to begin installing and operating terminals on “moving vehicles” – from cars and trucks to ships and jets. https://t.co/ekXLqjP1fy

— Michael Sheetz (@thesheetztweetz) March 8, 2021

CNBC had reported that SpaceX sought after authorization from the Federal Communications Commission to begin deploying antennas for its Starlink service on “moving vehicles” – and Musk responded.

Starlink is SpaceX’s capital-intensive project, designed to build an interconnected internet network made up of thousands of satellites, known in the space industry as a constellation. And is designed to deliver high-speed internet to consumers anywhere around the globe.

David Goldman, SpaceX director of satellite policy, wrote in a letter to the FCC on Friday that “the volume of traffic flowing over the world’s networks has exploded,” and added “no longer are users willing to forego connectivity while on the move.”

“This application would serve the public interest by authorizing a new class of ground-based components for SpaceX’s satellite system that will expand the range of broadband capabilities available to moving vehicles throughout the United States and to moving vessels and aircraft worldwide,” Goldman wrote.

Last year the space company requested authorization from the FCC to conduct experimental testing with private jets and its maritime fleet of vessels. The new request placed on Friday is for a more broad “blanket license” of operations. SpaceX made it a point that the FCC’s rules “do not require applicants to submit a maximum number of user terminals to be deployed,” and SpaceX did not specify the number of terminals it plans to build/use.

On November 6, Elon Musk’s space company sent a request to the FCC asking if SpaceX could implement their Starlink satellite terminals “on a Gulfstream jet for a period of up to two years.”

Musk’s SpaceX would like to further expand their testing of its Starlink satellite internet by connecting the network to the aircraft, the company revealed. In the Nov. 6 filing the company wrote, “SpaceX seeks experimental authority for operation of one user terminal aboard each of up to five private jets while they are (1) on the ground at an airport, and (2) in flight over the United States (including its territories and territorial waters).”

The user terminals are relatively small devices that rest on the ground and connect to the company’s satellite internet network. Early beta testing has already begun for the user terminals. What Musk described as a “UFO on a stick”, the user terminals that are ground mounted are presumed to have a different design than those that are aircraft mounted. Though, the FCC request described the aircraft mounted terminals as “electrically identical”.

SpaceX made a similar request two months ago to the FCC asking to test Starlink with the ships the company uses to land its rocket boosters. The request sought to add 10 Starlink user terminals to its vessels. That request is still labeled as pending.

In October, SpaceX launched a public beta test of Starlink with service priced at $99 per month. Starlink is SpaceX’s vision to build an interconnected internet network using thousands of satellites. Delivering high-speed internet to anywhere — globally.

While they have not launched enough satellites to cover the globe, SpaceX has, so far, launched 900 Starlink satellites — only a fraction of what is needed for the intended global coverage. Services are already being provided where there is satellite coverage, including here in the northwest United States. And SpaceX continues to work with a variety of organizations in rural regions where its Starlink satellites currently orbit, such as Washington state.

SpaceX has claimed that it will cost $10 billion or more to build this progressive tech system. But based on their projected annual revenue, the company’s leadership is confident that Starlink will produce more than 10 times the revenue of its rocket business. Generating as much as $30 billion per year.